Strange vagaries of politics

When to follow ideologies, and when not to

Strange are the vagaries of politics. Those who were arch-foes till yesterday are endeared cohorts today, and may take up another route in the time to come.

The inclusion of eight MPAs, plus a former secretary general Punjab, hailing from Pakistan Peoples Party into the fold of N League can by no means be a move urged by ideological motives. Ideology has long been strangulated by our politicians. Truth, veracity and loyalty for the public – that is what the politicians are generally meant for – are going extinct on the Machiavellian theatre of politics in Pakistan.

The present political lot had never spared any party from criticism, even when it was a positive step by any party. Since elections are near and the winds in Punjab are favouring PML-N, many think it would be better to join the cadres of the Sharifs.

Not long ago, you might have watched Azma Bukhari spitting bullets against N-League, but is now comfortably ensconced with her erstwhile foes. Kudos to those too who embrace such a lot. Doesn’t your sanity give in when you recall the picture of Miss Bukhari coming to the assembly with lotas in her hands so as to ridicule and humiliate the group led by Ata Manika? How can she defend this act now? Really are the vagaries of politics strange!

Raja Riaz and Shaukat Basra seem much heartbroken and annoyed at the betrayal of this coterie of PPP diehards. Both of them contacted ECP’s provincial office and prayed that this group of nine turncoats ought to be debarred from contesting the next general elections, for they had taken the oath of loyalty to the PPP, but by joining PML-N they were no more “sadiq” and “amin” under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution.

But the turncoats were one step ahead and did so legally. They did not violate the defection law as they first quit the assembly membership and then joined PML-N which was their right.

Are Raja Riaz and Mr Basra innocently oblivious of what former MNA and Senator Raja Muhammad Afzal Khan belonging to Jhelum and hailing from PML-N did in January? The elder Raja along with his two sons – Raja Muhammad Asad Khan and Raja Muhammad Safdar Khan, sitting MNAs of the PML-N – had been warmly welcomed in PPP.

Then there stands another story of eerie kind of politics: how would the erudite Raja Riaz and Shaukat Basra defend the inclusion of governor Punjab’s two sons – who were elected on the tickets of Muslim League-Functional – into PPP? Do they also plan to go after the respected governor’s sons’ defection? The answer is a no.

The biggest thorn for PPP was Samiullah Khan and Azma Bukari’s joining the PML-N. Samiullah Khan shone bright in the ranks of PPP after tying the knot with Azma Bukari in 2007. Though he lost election from PP-137 in 2008, yet he was able to secure the coveted seat of secretary general PPP Punjab chapter; and remained on the same for four years. Miss Bukhari has twice been to the corridors of Punjab assembly on a reserved seat for women. This is why it hurts PPP the most and this was the reason why PPP named this couple the most ungrateful among the group.

Also significant is the fact that the duo has not got warm reception by the local politicians in the constituency PP-137. Rana Iqbal is the sitting MPA from the region; and Sami jumped into arena on the condition of contesting the coming election on the ticket of PML-N from the same constituency, thereby tainting upon the chances for Rana Iqbal.

But there is yet another point to remember – Samiullah Khan would have to face young Yasir Gilnai in the same constituency. Yasir Gilani is a pioneer member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. Albeit still a young blood, he has proved to be a mature politician in the area. He has developed wholesome relations. Different surveys in the constituency exhibits engineer Yasir Gilani to be in much stronger position than other candidates from other political parties. And lately, he has also filed his nomination papers for vice-president of Lahore chapter of PTI.

The reality is that the PPP has almost lost its popular public support to in most parts of Punjab. This is what is forcing PPP electables or old workers to shun the cliché of ideological fidelity, and to tilt to either PML-N or PTI so as to achieve some worth after winning the coming general elections. That is the reason which is pushing PPP and PML-Q members to quit their parties and join the parties that have reasonable standing among populace. This is also what we name the politics far away from the regions of utopian meanderings of fake ideologies.